In fairness to Francis the alleged lack of baggage space on an ATR is just one of a number of lame excuses that have been peddled around Cork Airport in recent years. Others include the old chestnut that Czech Airlines and Malev pulled out due to a shortage of aircraft, no mention of the fact that the planes were re allocated to other routes!
Then there was the one about the Shannon Stop over being the reason why Cork didn't have U.S. Flights. Well open skies is in for over 4 years now and we're not even in the shake up for a transatlantic service. On a more positive not April traffic is on par with April 2011 which might indicate that things have levelled out but I wouldn't put too much money on it.